Are you in favor of starting sex education in schools?

Updated on July 31, 2011

Sex education should be an integral part of every child's education

Yes, I am in favor of starting sex education in schools and I feel sex education must be an integral part of every child's education, but I do feel that it should be introduced very carefully if talking of India as even this can be used in a wrong sense. In the 21st century, it is the demand of time and I think teenagers must know about sex, sex does not only mean how you satisfy your partners but you must know at least the biology of it.

If it is introduced too early, we are actually taking away the innocence of the child and it also depends on how it is taught in the classrooms. I really don't feel the need to actually explain using models the sexual intercourse in the courseware. It can be quite embarrassing for the teacher too. Subjects like awareness of AIDS, unwanted teenage pregnancy, and using condom as a protection is what we should be concentrating on.

The movies, ads, and magazines, everything is full of sex-related stuff (direct or indirect). Movies which should be PG-13, easily get U certificate, I wonder how. The kids by nature are curious. If they don't find suitable answers, they might try to find out themselves which may not be the right direction because of their young age and mind setup. Parents and teachers should take responsibility of educating the children at the right age about what is right and wrong.

Sex education is very much required. The content should be carefully drafted so as not to go into embarrassing details. It should focus on dangers of casual sex, unwanted pregnancy, HIV/AIDS, sexually-transmitted diseases, venereal diseases, etc. At the same time, it should not scare off the poor souls making them think that sex is all about bad diseases. They should be made aware of what is right at what time.

In India, all ICSE and CBSE Schools do have sex education as part of their biology subject. I am not aware as to what is the depth of sex education that the current government is trying to bring in.

Here are some pros of Sex Education for your reference:

Nowadays teens are reaching the puberty age quiet fast. They are getting matured in some areas at a very rapid rate than expected.

Today all teens are fast adopting Western Lifestyle and Living Mantra.

Today teens don't mind kissing.

Teens don't mind having casual physical relationships.

Teens are exposed to excessive pornographic materials. Its penetration is faster and exhaustive in the market and easily available in various forms.

Teens don't mind "LIVE-IN RELATIONS" before marriage.

There is a great level of anxiety and curiosity in teens and in fact everybody for the word "sex".

Since the topic of sex is mostly not discussed or avoided or hardly communicated especially in India; hence, there is always a tendency to explore sex through other means or alternatives.

Therefore giving sex education at school level can help pacify their minds and remove all ambiguities related to the sacred topic. Teens will start respecting the sanctity of this topic and themselves will take it as a normal general part of life. They will count sex as just one part of life from amongst many things like career, social, philanthropy, etc.

At last I would say it is the curious human mind, the more you will try to conceal something or put restrictions on it, the more human being will try to explore it and try to dig further into it. So it is our responsibility to show our children the right path on sex which could be named as "healthy sex".

One thing more to add, it is my own opinion on this topic, there might be people who can say no to starting sex education in schools. I respect their viewpoint and concerns, as different people have different kind of mind setup, so anyone from the internet community want to say something on this subject, please comment below. Do not think I am rigid or this hub is made to serve as a recommendation. After all, it is your life and you know better what to do about that.

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So what do you think, are you in favor of starting sex education in schools or not, please comment 16 comments

Hi soni, thanks for asking my hub request. I have read your hub and it is the best answer up until now according to me. I also agree with starting sex education in schools. I will put in more requests relating to this topic, as it is an important factor in our life. Thanks once again for your viewpoint.

Jatin 8 years ago

First of all, I would like to say this is a nice topic to discuss. I agree with starting sex education in schools. I found this webpage at feedbite today and read it until it finished. Providing sex education in a proper manner is important for our society to get rid of unwated teen pregnancy problem.

Storytellersrus 8 years ago from Stepping past clutter

Hello Soni, It is interesting to me that you write such a Hub considering my children are in their late teens and early 20s and all had sex education beginning in elementary school. I do not see any ill effects and in fact my children are all very conservative about sex. Our schools allow parents to opt out of sex education for their children, and occasionally they exercise this option. But for the most part, parents are happy to have these ideas presented to the children in such an environment-- and are encouraged to discuss the spiritual/religious aspects of sex at home, as these vary according to the individual belief system.

pankaj3625 8 years ago from Delhi

Hi soni. I also agree with you. Providing education on sex, using precautions such as condoms, etc. can help teens and even people who are living in rural areas. The idea is not new but it is a decade old but here in India, its implementation is quite difficult as there are many so-called religious groups and societies who are against this approach. I would recommend that this approach is best and suitable for all.

soni2006 8 years ago from New Delhi, India Author

Yes Pankaj. I know the condition of providing sex ed in Indian schools and there are a lot of social groups against its implementation but we must create a community in order to help this situation and work towards the betterment and future of our kids.

kellymiller 8 years ago

If there was a guarantee that all parents would talk to their children about sex, I would be against sex ed in schools. The reality is that some parents do not talk about this with their kids or just assume that they know it already. Even when some parents do talk to their kids about it, they make it seem "dirty". Believe it or not, some parents do not even know enough about sex to explain it to their children. I would rather have someone talk to the child about sex and give him/her correct information than to have the child find out on his/her own. The ideal situation would be to have that person be a parent, but if it has to be the school, then I guess I am okay with that too. The key is to make sure that the kids learn the real facts about sex before they find out on their own.

soni2006 8 years ago from New Delhi, India Author

"The ideal situation would be to have that person be a parent, but if it has to be the school, then I guess I am okay with that too"

Hi keymiller, I agree with you that what would be a better thing than getting educated on sex in a proper and controlled manner in a school environment where a student can share all the knowledge he/she wants. They can ask questions from the teachers which are timely answered so that the students do not have find those questions elsewhere and can find the right path. The most important point which comes in my mind always regarding "sex education in schools" is that the role of teachers or the sex educators in schools is very important that means a person providing this information must be cool, polite, supportive, and who knows to manage the situation well or can answer the questions well.

ReuVera 8 years ago from USA

Soni, you wrote a very thoughtful article. I myself don't have a ready opinion about it. My friend told me once a story from his teen years. No, not about a sex experience. His Dad had a motorcycle, that the boy was adoring from afar and dreaming about one day when he would be big enough to drive it. Ones his Dad explained him how the bike works, showed all the triks of turning it on and off, etc. Then Dad told him, "You know how it works now, but don't touch it, you can't drive it yet". No need to say that from that time all the boy could think of was taking the bike for a ride. One night he did it and smashed the bike into neighbors rose garden and further into their garage door.

I thing this story gives a slight input into the problem of teaching sex at schools. May be it's more advisable to teach the kids values first, to teach them respect for other sex, show them values of friendship, of relationships between people. Values of being gentle, understanding, compassionate. Values of the soul. First of all, parents should watch what their children are doing in the computer, what magazines they have, with whom they are spending their time.

Body will know what to do when the right time comes. If children have the right values brought up in them by school and home, they probably will never insult or hurt their love partner.

soni2006 8 years ago from New Delhi, India Author

I absolutely agree with your thoughts ReuVera, and the story you brought up is really fantastic and explains your stattement in a perfect manner. Now, I know that values are the most important aspect in education of any kind. Thanks for your comment.

Tatjana-Mihaela 8 years ago from Zadar, CROATIA

Dear Sony, I agree with you, children do need a sex education... as well as ALL OF US. Love-making is not connected only with needs of the body, is deeply connected with the needs of the everyone´s soul. We adults need also to learn as much as possible about all aspects of sexuality and relationships and then share that experiences with kids and the others, on suitable ways.

Sexuality is extremely important subject, sexual force is the strongest vital force in human Earth-life, it can create hell or paradise in someone`s life, depending on way we use it, or think about it.

Great article, thank you...

soni2006 8 years ago from New Delhi, India Author

Thanks for appreciating this article Tatjana. Yes it can create hell or paradise in anyone's life and depends on the way we apply it.

Kmadhav 7 years ago from New delhi

In india here some parties and organisations are against this sex education. But we should consider this is a need that we should give our children . Young generation are rushing to internet, sex cds and MMS which is not a right thing.

We should take this thing with a positive mind.This will stop STD's, AIDS and unwanted birth control also. I saw report where girl b/w 8-10 class are going to pregnant.

soni2006 7 years ago from New Delhi, India Author

Yes I kmadhav I am aware about the grave condition of starting sex education in India. Also know about some political parties and leaders who are against sex education. Yes according to you one should definitely consider sex education as a need rather than just a subject to prevent young boys and girls from running into troublesome conditions promoted by internet, sex cds and MMS.

Sex education will definitely cut off the percentage of unwanted pregnancy in India.

Sumit Debnath 6 years ago

Yes in India Sex education is taboo subject. Lack of sex education in youth so they are leads many misconception & sexual superstition in their mind. Many many married people r unhappy dew to misconception about sex. It is important that people know true scientific information about sex. I realize those think. In a servey in rural india found that . Men or women do not know what is women sexual satisfaction? & In rural India an idea in people mind that sex is male side & women are passive partner who allow male sexual gratification. so women hate sex & less interested in sex. Another cause is that women fear unwanted pregnancies. After 2-3 pregnancies women less interested in sex. But women don’t know how to protect unwanted pregnancies. Those cause force sex, Violence,maritial rap are high in rural area. I think happy married life education need in india not in urban area also in rural area .

soni2006 6 years ago from New Delhi, India Author

@Sumit Debnath, thanks for sharing your views on need of sex education in Indian schools.